A/N: Hello again my lovely dedicated readers whom I adore! Another update for you... I kinda left the last chapter at a bit of a cliff hanger... Hopefully you'll all enjoy this one.
Thanks for the reviews, they make my day. So glad you're all on the same wavelength as me. Sometimes I get so wrapped up that I don't explain things, forgetting that you don't actually know what's in my head.
On with the show... Let me know what you think. =)
.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the OC. Although I am one step closer to owning Punk... a life size cardboard cut out counts, right?
.
Chapter 22: Every Party Has a Pooper
.
.
Upon hearing my name, I looked up. I was startled at first, I quickly blinked back the tears before they could fall, trying to compose myself.
"You dropped your purse." He said as he moved towards me.
.
It was then that I noticed the purple clutch purse in his hand as he approached me. I pulled myself up from the floor, he shot out a hand to help steady me as I got back onto my feet. He handed me my purse and I thanked him with a small smile.
.
"Everything Okay?" He asked me.
"Yeah." I replied, a fake smile stuck on my face.
.
He returned my smile and turned around to leave. I began to fix my make-up, erasing all signs of any tears. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed a presence. Turning to the left I saw that he hadn't left the bathroom as I had thought, instead he was perched on the counter beside the sinks watching me with his arms folded across his chest.
.
"Um... This is the ladies room."
"I know."
.
I looked at him dumbfounded.
.
"Then, why are you in here?"
"Originally, I came in to return your purse."
"And now?"
"Now, I'm waiting to hear why you're upset."
"I'm not upset." I said as cheerily as I could. The fake smile once again returning to my lips.
"You can drop the act, I can see right through you. You're clearly not happy, not even with a stud like me to look at."
.
I found myself smiling at his attempt to lighten the mood.
.
"Now that's a little better." He exclaimed, almost making me jump. "So..."
"So, what?"
"So are you going to tell me why you're looking so glum?"
"You're not going to give up are you?"
"Nope." He replied, popping the 'P'.
.
I let out a sigh.
.
"It's a long story. I wouldn't even know how to explain it."
"I've got time." He replied.
.
I took a deep breath and tried to find a way to give as little of an explanation as I could get away with. Thinking about everything, I thought, fuck it. I might as well tell the truth.
.
I leaned against the counter top and told him everything that had happened and that was going through my head.
.
"So, basically I've made some mistakes and now I'm paying for them."
"We all make mistakes, Scarlett. It's part of being human. There's no shame in that."
"I feel like a terrible person."
"Hold on a minute." He spoke as he slid down from the counter top. "You are not a bad person."
"Then why do I feel so bad." I said, tears beginning to brim in my eyes.
"Honey, you're heartbroken. Of course you're going to feel this way, and it sucks, believe me I know. But it will pass, I promise."
.
I sent him a small smile as he wrapped his arms around me and gave me a hug.
.
"You, Miss DiBiase will be fine."
"Thanks."
"Now come on, I think we need a drink and a dance."
"You know what Jericho, I think you're right."
.
.
.
We left the bathroom and went to the bar. Chris very kindly replace the drink I had thrown over Randy and we took our drinks to a table beside the rest of our friends.
.
An hour or so had passed and I must admit I had perked up a lot. Mostly due to Chris Jericho and his insanely hilarious stories. Also partly due to the several cocktails I had consumed. Chris excused himself to go to the rest room. I hoped that it was the men's this time. No sooner had he vacated his seat beside me than it was filled again.
.
"Hey, having a good time?"
.
I turned to meet the warm gaze of Phil.
.
"Yeah, it's turning out to be a great night. You?"
"Yeah. Hey, what was all that with Orton earlier?"
"What?"
"It looked like it was a little heated."
"Oh... that was nothing."
"You threw your drink in his face and slapped him. That doesn't seem like nothing to me."
"It's done with now."
"Listen, if he's bothering you just say and I'll knock him out."
"Phil, really. I handled it, it's over now."
.
He accepted my answer, but I could tell from the look in his eyes he was not happy with it.
.
Just then Jericho came back. He and Phil shared an awkward moment where they had a bit of a stare off before Phil stood up and moved to let Jericho have his seat back. I looked on intently as the two men stood toe to toe, locked in a stare off.
.
"Punk." Jericho greeted cooly.
"Christopher."
.
Jericho sat down placing a glass in front of me. Phil stood in front of the table for a few moments watching us, an unknown look in his eyes before he left.
.
"Bottoms up."
.
I sniffed the drink.
.
"Jack Daniels. Oh Chris, you are so responsible for my hangover tomorrow." I said before clinking glasses with him and downing the liquid.
"I'll buy you breakfast to make up for it... Or maybe lunch, depending on how bad the headache is."
.
.
.
Again I found myself at the bar, this time ordering a coke. I knew my limit and I was fast approaching it.
.
"We need to talk."
.
I shut my eyes upon hearing the voice. Without looking at him I replied.
.
"I have nothing to say to you Randy."
"I wasn't asking." He replied before grabbing me by the arm and pulling me out onto the small balcony.
.
"Didn't I make myself clear before?" I said pulling my arm away. "Leave me alone."
"What's clear was that you thought you could embarrass me in front of everyone."
"Embarrass you? I was defending myself."
"Bullshit. You just love playing your little mind games."
"Excuse me?"
"First you don't want me, than your do, then you're publicly slapping me. If you were anyone else I would have put you in your place already."
"Who do you think you are? You've been harassing me for months, chasing me, cornering me. You've been acting like a damn stalker. You had me at the end of my tether and I lashed out. Maybe I did embarrass you but you deserved it. And if you don't leave me alone, I won't hesitate to do it again. So go ahead put me in my place. And for the record, I never wanted you."
.
Suddenly Randy grabbed me by the shoulders and pushed me up against the wall, pinning me in place and staring down at me like a rabid dog. I gulped.
.
"You know, I've always admired your spunk, in fact it's one of the reasons I fell for you but you're beginning to test me."
"Then why don't you cut your losses and move on to someone else."
"Because, Cherry Pie." He breathed, stroking my face, "I never give up on something I want."
.
Just then the door to the balcony opened causing me to jolt. Randy didn't flinch, his eyes were still locked on mine, his face mere inches from my own. I could feel his hot breath tickling my skin.
.
"Do we have a problem here?" I heard the voice of Chris Jericho speak as he walked towards us.
.
Randy stayed in his position, only turning his head to look at the Canadian before turning it back to me.
.
"We're having a private conversation, Jericho."
"I think your conversation is over." Came another voice.
.
I craned my neck around the apex predator.
Phil was standing at the doorway, his eyes burning with a hatred.
Randy's eyes turned dark as he moved away from me slowly, turning slightly so that his body was facing Phil, but so that he still had me stuck in the corner.
.
"I don't think this is anything to do with you Brooks." Randy spat.
"It's a good job nobody pays you to think, Orton." Phil replied, his eyes trained on the St Louis native.
"Scarlett isn't your girlfriend, Punk."
"She isn't yours either."
"All in good time." He replied with a smirk.
"Back off, Orton."
"Or what?"
"Or I'll make you."
.
The two men stood nose to nose, neither one of them breaking the heated gaze they were locked in.
I began to feel anxious, my heart began to pound in my chest, knots formed in my stomach and my body started shaking.
I was sure the two were going to come to blows, which would ruin Natalya's party.
And it would be all my fault.
.
"Hey!" A voice interrupted the silence, "If you two want to fight, do it out on the street."
"Stay out of this Jericho." Randy replied.
"This is nothing to do with you Chris, this is between me and this douche bag." Phil agreed.
"I don't care what either of you jackasses do, but you won't do it here."
"Oh yeah, says who?" Randy asked as he turned his attention to the blonde Canadian.
"Says me ass clown." Jericho replied stepping towards the viper. "You two and your macho bullshit has got my friend cowering in the corner, and that IS my business."
.
Randy and Phil both turned their heads in my direction. Phil's eyes softened as he took in my shaken state, Randy though, I couldn't tell what he was feeling. Jericho came over to me and put his arm around my shoulder.
.
"Scarlett, you OK?"
.
I nodded silently averting my gaze to the ground. At that moment I felt so meek, so vulnerable. And it was a feeling I didn't like. I used to be so tough, right now I felt anything but.
.
Chris guided me through the doors back into the club, directing me to an empty table before sitting me down and stepping away briefly. He walked to the door to the balcony where Phil and Randy were still standing before saying something that I couldn't hear and returning to the table. He tried to comfort me and stop me from shaking.
.
A few minutes later Phil came back in and stood in front of the table Chris and I were at.
.
"Scarlett, I'm sorry if I scared you. That wasn't my intention. I was just trying to protect you, I can see how I went about it the wrong way. I apologise."
.
I attempted a smile, but failed.
.
"Let me take you back to the hotel." Phil spoke.
"No, I'm fine. I'll get a cab. You stay, enjoy the rest of your night." I said standing.
"Scarlett-"
"I'm heading back to the hotel, we can share a cab." Jericho said smiling.
.
Phil went to speak again but suddenly stopped.
He stepped back and allowed Chris and I to leave the table and exit the club.
I spared a glance back, his head was lowered and his hand was running over his face.
My gaze shifted to the balcony doors. Randy was looking through the glass at me, an unreadable look on his face. I gulped, there was something about that look that I didn't like. I turned my head front facing again and descended the stairs with Chris.
.
.
Thanks for reading. What did you think of that? Bit of a curve ball... Did any of you get the bathroom dude right?
Next Chapter will be in Punk's POV.
Hope you enjoyed.
Roxxi =)
